Chapter 6: CHAPTER 5 - Unforeseen Transformation (2)
"What happened?"
Ichiro wondered for a moment how he had survived. He was certain he had received a fatal blow during the monster attack. Even though the monster hadn't ultimately attacked him, he had lost so much blood that survival seemed unlikely.
"Hmm, I can't seem to remember anything from that night," he thought to himself.
Suddenly, a notification appeared in his mind:
-System activated, memory playback available. Would you like to accept?-
YES NO
Startled, Ichiro jumped, his heart racing, as he stared at the strange message in front of him. He was sitting on his bed, bewildered by what he was witnessing.
"What is this?" he muttered, his brows furrowing as he examined the holographic screen before him. Tentatively, he reached out to touch it, only to find that the screen was intangible, responding to his touch as if he were interacting with air.
"Pardon me," a voice broke through his confusion. Ichiro turned his head to see a nurse walking into his room, carrying a tray of medication. He quickly retracted his hand, hoping the nurse couldn't see his bewildering encounter with the strange screen.
"Is something wrong?" the nurse asked, her expression showing a mix of concern and curiosity.
Ichiro hesitated, trying to figure out how to explain what he was experiencing. "Can't you see it?" he finally managed to ask, nodding toward the screen that was still hovering in front of him.
The nurse blinked and looked at him quizzically. "See what?"
For some inexplicable reason, whatever he was seeing seemed to be visible only to him. As the nurse continued to speak, detailing his medication and instructions, Ichiro's attention remained fixed on the enigmatic screen.
"Anyways, I brought your medicine. Your food should be arriving soon. Once you finish eating, please take this medicine first..." her words continued, but Ichiro's mind was preoccupied with the mysterious interface.
While the nurse's explanation continued, Ichiro pondered over the two options presented on the screen. Despite having only two choices, he found himself uncertain about which decision to make. The realization that this strange system seemed to be a part of him brought a mix of intrigue and apprehension.
The nurse regarded the troubled young man on the bed and wondered if he was struggling to absorb her instructions. It was understandable; waking from what seemed like death must have taken a toll on both his body and mind.
"I'll just come back once you've finished eating," she informed him, her voice gentle and reassuring.
"Oh?" Ichiro looked up, his expression a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
"Please, don't engage in anything too strenuous for now. Rest is what you need the most at the moment, understand?" Her concern for his well-being was evident in her eyes.
"Ah, yes, don't worry," Ichiro replied, offering a faint smile.
As the nurse exited the room, Ichiro's attention returned to the mysterious holographic screen that had occupied his thoughts since he awoke. He worried that making the wrong choice might put his life in jeopardy once more.
"What should I do?" he muttered, his brow furrowed as he scratched his head, deep in contemplation.
His meal arrived not long after, brought in by a person who greeted him with curiosity. Ichiro asked the same question, hoping for an answer that might shed light on his predicament. Yet, he received the same cryptic response.
While he ate, his gaze frequently shifted to the screen that lingered in front of him. Time seemed to pass slowly, but the screen remained, a constant reminder of the decision he had to make.
"I'm sure this will be gone once I get some rest," he reassured himself quietly, determined to seek clarity in the morning.
After the nurse returned to assist him with his medication, Ichiro settled into his bed, exhaustion tugging at his senses.
"Remember what I said, get some rest," the nurse advised kindly.
"Thank you," he responded, his voice soft with gratitude.
As she left, the room dimmed, the nurse leaving him in a cocoon of tranquility to aid his slumber. It didn't take long for sleep to claim him, his vision growing heavy.
Before drifting fully into unconsciousness, he cast one last glance at the enigmatic screen before him.
"This must be a dream, then, considering no one else can see it," he mused, his thoughts blending with the edges of sleep as he surrendered to the realm of dreams.
Morning arrived, casting its light upon Ichiro, whose complexion resembled that of a ghost. The supposed dream he had experienced the previous day now seemed to hold an uncanny grip on reality.
"What is going on?" he muttered, his voice a mix of bewilderment and trepidation.
The reappearance of the same screen from yesterday sent a shiver down his spine, a chilling reminder of the enigma he had encountered. The fact that no one else seemed able to perceive it made him question his own sanity. If he was interacting and conversing normally with others, he couldn't be deceased. The conflicting signs left him grappling for answers.
"This has to be a dream," Ichiro whispered, as if trying to convince himself.
Summoning his courage, he pinched himself with force, the sharp pain that followed inducing a shock that reverberated through his body. The realization that this was not a dream struck him like a jolt, causing his heart to pound against his ribs.
"This isn't a dream."
Anxiety gnawed at him as he stared at the mysterious screen once more. Its presence demanded his attention, yet its purpose remained shrouded in uncertainty.
"System?" he questioned aloud, reaching for understanding.
'I wonder what this means,' echoed his thoughts, carrying the weight of confusion and curiosity.
As he pondered, his eyes were drawn to the question on the screen, a question that seemed to dangle the promise of answers before him.
"Memory playback available?"
The implications of those words hit him. Could this screen hold records of his past, a chance to uncover the mysteries he sought to understand?
"Well, I do want to know what happened. I guess there's no harm in saying yes," he muttered, his voice laden with uncertainty.
Without warning, a sudden surge of pain lanced through his head, leaving him gasping. Panic surged as he realized the gravity of his mistake.
"Wait, I didn't mean to say yes!" Ichiro screamed, the agony of the unexpected pain tearing through him. The screen that had taunted him vanished abruptly, as if responding to his distress.
Then, without warning, the void of his consciousness seemed to rupture, giving way to an onslaught of memories and sensations.
-Memory playback now activated-
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone